It's 7 pm.The main hall of the Golden Palace was teeming with several people related to the birthday celebrant.Today was Lucinda's 90th birthday and though she was quite advanced in age, she had done well to manage her appearance, causing her to look quite healthy.A few speculated on ways she had managed to keep herself so healthy with some even bordering on nonsense like she had sold her soul to the devil but regardless, few took them seriously.She sat as the center of attraction today, adorned in an eye-catching attire that made several envious with some even wondering why such an old woman would bother with such opulence.The main hall was also decorated specially for the occasion and after most had arrived, the first part of the party which was the gifting section quickly began."Grandma, on your birthday today, I brought you this flower vase. It's said to be a rare treasure once owned by a queen of the Mali Kingdom and given as a gift to the man who saved her life during an a
Just then, the curator who stood beside Lucinda spoke up. "Who are you?""I am Ghost and I am here to attend this birthday party, I hope I am not too late."Murmurs flew around before Jason suddenly spoke up."I don't care who you are but the Goldberg family doesn't take it lightly with those that try to cause problems for us.""I am aware." Ethan calmly replied."Then…""But I don't believe there has ever been a time your family prevented outsiders from attending and even participating in the gifting ceremony, am I correct?""Well, that…""No." Lucinda suddenly spoke up, her frail voice traveling about the hall and silencing the voices.Then, she added, "The Goldberg family never turns away a friend.""I'm glad to hear that," Ethan remarked, even giving a slight curtsy as he spoke.Albeit unwillingly, Jason finally relented though he still glared at the unwanted guest.Ethan merely flashed a smile in her direction before inquiring. "So is the gifting ceremony over?" "No, please wait
Soon enough, Ethan's turn arrived and he walked forward, exuding confidence in every step.His presence drew attention but he didn't care much as he arrived before Lucinda and placed his hand in his pocket.Expecting something expensive, he instead pulled out a piece of paper and handed it over to Lucinda who, stunned at first, had no choice but to take it.Everyone looked on in confusion, had he given a check or something?The curator glanced at the piece of paper before she spat angrily."Hey, you!"Ethan glanced at her, a bored expression on his face."Did something happen?" A few were still unclear as to what he'd given as a gift.Ignoring the murmurs, the curator continued. "What is this rubbish you brought to our esteemed family head?... Are you looking down on the Goldberg family?... Is that it?""Huh, what's going on?" The onlookers couldn't help but wonder.Ethan yawned as he asked. "Is there a problem with my gift?""You cheapskate, you come in here like a boss but you dare
A series of gasps escaped the lips of everyone present as they realized that this wasn't just a random request.Lucinda was truly asking for Ethan's help from the bottom of her heart.Even going as far as to promise her blessings to him went to show just how much she was willing to give just to be healed.“Grandma, you can't do this!” Jason remarked. “This man is a stranger to our family. How can you allow him to deceive you like this?”“Yes, Grandma, you can't let this man trick you like this.” Lisa quickly intoned as well.Lucinda replied. “Are you saying that a man Louisa has brought to us would trick me?”“Of course!... Sister Louisa might be the heiress, but she is not infallible!” Jason quickly replied.“Regardless, is there a reason to not give him a chance?”Jason pursed his lips as he knew he couldn't give a response to Lucinda's question.The truth was if Ethan was a fraud, then there was no reason to worry.But what if he wasn't?... What if, by some crazy means, he could he
Lucinda was about to give a response when Ethan reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.She turned to face him with the latter slowly shaking his head.Letting out a sigh, she nodded before proceeding to take a step back while Ethan took a step forward, prepared to confront the arrogant prick.“I may not be worthy of Louisa, but are you worthy?” Ethan asked causing Lucian to sneer at him like he were a fool.“Do you even have to ask?... Of course, I'm worthy!... I have everything you can only ever hope to have, that is the difference between you and me, Ethan Jones!... You are nothing compared to me!”Ethan smirked. “Then let's put that to the rest, shall we?”“What the hell are you talking about?” “I bet everything I am worth in the games tomorrow. If you manage to beat me, then you can have everything I am worth, including my life!”“Ethan!” Louisa was shocked to hear Ethan say such a thing, after all, it was going a step too far now.Even Lucinda was shocked but she didn't
“Indeed, father, they would be more than enough.”“Then you have my blessings. Crush your enemies and make your father proud. Remember, you must marry Louisa. Only then can our Solaria attain its place as masters of the world.”“Understood, Father.”***The Treasure Hunt was the highlight and main event of the Billionaire's Club.Those lucky enough would participate in a unique game that involved seeking out treasures on the island.It would start at ten in the morning and end at six in the evening.During the event, participants were tasked with finding treasures and defending them until the end of the eventThe treasures they were to find were scattered at different corners of the island and though it sounded simple, it was anything but that.The treasures were so expertly hidden with no clues to where they were hidden.Apart from that, the island was filled with wild animals that wouldn't hesitate to attack trespassers if they dared to come close and what was worse was that other p
Louisa looked Lucian over with annoyance written all over her face.If not for him, her life wouldn't be so complicated at the moment but instead of feeling sorry, he seemed to enjoy seeing her angry and frustrated.“So?... Where's my hug?” Lucian inquired with a raised brow.“Sorry, but I don't feel like it.” Louisa calmly replied causing Lucian's expression to turn sour.“Good, very good, even though you know that you are meant to be my bride, you dare to shame me like this!”“We are not engaged so until we are engaged, you'd best watch the way you refer to me!” Louisa shot back, not backing down in the slightest. One of the members of the Army of the Sun stepped forward with his hand on his weapon, ready to discipline Louisa for the disrespect shown only for Ethan to step up as well, effectively blocking his path.“Move aside or die.” The armored man remarked coldly as he glared at Ethan like an insignificant insect.Ethan replied. “Step back. Do you feel no shame in bullying a wo
Naturally, considering it was a rather high-stakes game, it didn't take long before the bets began to get placed with even those of the main family partaking in the bets.“Who's your money on?”“Are you kidding?... Who else if not Prince Lucian? That dude has the Army of the Sun backing him. Do you think that he would have any issues winning?”“Remember, the competition isn't just about strength, it's also about a person's exploration skills. If they can't find treasures, then what's the point?”“Hmmph, even if they can't find treasures, it won't be difficult to kill others and take it from their corpse, it's not like anyone would be able to contend with the combined might of the Army of the Sun.”“What about Ethan Jones?... Didn't you see him beat back that armored soldier with a single kick?... That guy shouldn't be underestimated.”“You'd be a fool for thinking that Ethan can contend with Lucian. The forest is unpredictable, anything can happen at any time and there's nothing that